Formula One news

Button to work hard in the winter

In a sign of his contemporary dedication to (BAR-)Honda, Jenson Button will drive in every pre-Christmas winter test. The English driver, who tried to leave the team last year but in 2005 fought to stay, says he is determined to pull his weight ahead of next season in a bid to lift the title. "Whether we can win the championship," he told the Sunday Mirror, "is just a question of whether we can build a car that's good enough."

25-year-old JB's big winter, of course, might have something to do with the fact that '06 teammate Rubens Barrichello is on forced 'gardening leave' while his current Ferrari deal runs out. Button's friend, compatriot and on-track rival David Coulthard, however, defended the Briton's driving at the end of another win-less campaign.

DC, who drives for Red Bull, pointed to the biggest 'underachiever' of the season, Jenson's axed teammate Takuma Sato. Compared to JB's tally of 37 points, Japanese 'Taku' got just 1. "It shows how well Jenson must have driven," Coulthard told the Daily Record newspaper.

"He has all the ingredients to be a grand prix winner -- I hope the turmoil of his contracts and personal relationships is behind him."

more news

• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
  • Kubica expecting more accidents
• 03 Jan.
  • Encouraging news for Donington
• 02 Jan.
  • Di Resta still hopeful of F1 drive
  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
  • Hakkinen supports medals system
• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to join Madame Tussauds
  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit
• 26 Dec. '08
  • Montezemolo says KERS introduction is a mistake
• 25 Dec. '08
  • Season's greetings from GPUpdate.net
• 24 Dec. '08
  • Massa against proposed pay cut
  • Ferrari undecided over Schumacher future
  • Karthikeyan not interested in joining Force India
  • Mosley: Finding a successor won't be easy
  • Ecclestone won't split teams - Howett
  • Mosley may still try to continue
• 23 Dec. '08
  • WSR team Draco teams up with Force India
  • Howett: Ecclestone not able to split FOTA
  • Toyota committed to Formula 1

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